Nadella's Email to Microsoft Employees

/

Nadella emailThe beginning of a new fiscal year inspired Microsoft's new CEO Satya Nadella to send a 3,187-word email to employees about the company's future. (Thanks for counting, Business Insider!)

The email includes a mix of jargon and simple language. You'll see the typical verbs: reinvent, empower, deploy, maximize, thrive, and of course, digitize (What would Microsoft be otherwise?).

"Developers and partners will thrive by creatively extending Microsoft experiences for every individual and business on the planet." Whatever that means...

But Nadella uses a few striking verbs and lines that pop: swimming, obsess, light up, and "We help people get stuff done."  He also effectively uses one-sentence paragraphs to call out key messages: "This is an incredible foundation from which to grow" and "Our first-party devices will light up digital work and life" (although the latter is repeated, and I don't think it's intentional).
 
The email is easy to skim and nicely arranged on Microsoft's website for all to see.

Discussion Starters:

  • What key messages do you take from the email?
  • The email is long. Do you think employees will read it? Why or why not?
  • Who are the primary and secondary audiences? What are the objectives?
  • What advice do you have for Nadella as a writer?